Gameday: Gophers-Nebraska preview

Gophers at a glance: After losing their fourth consecutive game, to Wisconsin on Saturday, the Gophers have the same league record (3-4) as they did a season ago when they wound up 6-12 in the Big Ten and without an NCAA tournament berth. Still, the Gophers have remained in the top 25, landing at No. 23 on Monday. While Minnesota played poorly on defense in its losses to Indiana and Michigan, it's the Gophers offense that has struggled in the past two games. Against Wisconsin, only two starters (Andre Hollins and Trevor Mbakwe) scored more than two points. Mbakwe, who says he will play despite hurting his wrist against the Badgers, is averaging a double-double the past seven games, and Hollins rebounded from a tough game against Northwestern with a 20-point showing against Wisconsin.

Nebraska at a glance: New coach Tim Miles always knew it would be a tough first season with the Huskers, who simply don't have the talent compared with the rest of the Big Ten. However, Nebraska is coming off its best stretch of the season, winning two of its past three after starting the conference schedule with five losses. While the Gophers were losing to Wisconsin on Saturday, the Huskers were busy beating Northwestern -- a team that trumped Minnesota a game earlier. Nebraska held Northwestern to 49 points and 32.1 percent shooting, while make 54.2 percent of its shots from the field in the second half. The Huskers' two seniors in the starting lineup anchor the team, with point guard Dylan Talley leading with 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Brandon Ubel adding averages of 12.1 and 7.0, respectively.